Switching device



w; D. WOOD SWITCHING DEVZCGE Filed May 51, 1927 IINVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Win/"0Z9. 74/012105 Patented July 31, 1928. I J

. WILLIAM 11' wool), onset: FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA.

SWITCHING -DEVICE.

Application, filed May 31,

This invention relates to'a switchingdevice and especially to a multiple switch structure for signalling devices, telephone work, organ stopv and coupler action 'controls, etc.

Heretofore swltches of the character de scribed have been constructed either 'Wlbh a flexible contact at both sides of a. movable circuit closer'or by a series of stationary con- I nets or pneumatics are required to hold the tact surfaces having flexible contacts move advantage of the latter isthat considerable pressure and consequently powerful. magseries of contacts in the on position:

' It might be stated-that a low voltage our. rent is employed and the power available for operation is comparatively small and 1t' is accordingly essential that the switch mechanism be capable of operation with a minimum of power, I

The object of the present invention is to generally improve and' simplify the con struction and operation of switches of the character described and .more particularly to provide a multiple switch structure in which a plurality of aligned superposed rigid and flexible contacts are employed between which a plurality of combination oscillating and. reciprocating circuit closing bars are operated 1115111118011 m such a manner bars.

will aeeor ingly" be noted that the Iswiteh that a minimum of pressure andpower will be required. t

The switch structure is shown by way of Fig. 1 is a plan view of a multiple switch.

Figs. 2 and 3 are vertical cross-sections ofthe switch said views showing the on and off position assumed by the circuit closing Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the circuit closing bars, the rocker in which it is supported and guided, and said view also showing the rigid and flexible contacts with which the circuit closing bar cooperates.

The switch illustrated in the present instance is particularly intended for pipe. organ stop and coupler action control and as switches of this character carry a comparatively low voltage current, wood or a similar material is usually employed, as suchma terial has rovejn a suflifient insulator. It

1927. Serial No. 195,257.

consists ofa main base plate A, referring to Figs. 1, 3 and 4, which is constructed-of Wood or. a similar material. Extending cross-wise ofithe base and resting onthe upper surface thereof are a plurality of interspaced rigid rods such as indicated at 2. The forward ends of the rods are secured to the base by means of a clamping bar 3, which extends from end to end thereof. The oppositeends of the rods are bent at right angles, as indicated at 4, and the rear edge of the base A is perforated to permit the right angular extensions 'to extend therethrough. Disposed at opposite ends of the base is a pair of supporting blocks 5-5, which serve two functions: first, that of a bearing for a rocker arm,'generally indicated'at B and indicated at 8, and theyv extend upwardly through the perforated clamping plate. Each rod is provided with a coil or spring loop 9 and'the forward end of each rod passes through a slotted plate 10 which forms guides therefor and maintains the forward ends of the wires or rods 6 in align ment with the rods 2. A strip of felt 11, or

slotted guiding plate 10and forms a support for the forward ends of the wire rods 6, the tension produced by the loops or coils 9 being sufficient to maintain such contact.

like material, is positioned rearwardly of the a The rocker arm B extends substantially from end ,to end of the baselplate A and is provided with pivot rods 12 at its opposite ends, which are journalled in theblocks 5.

The rocker arm is slotted vertically to suport and uide a luralit ,of circuit closin p e p y to bars 14. One of thebars is best illustrated in Fig. 4; By referring to thisfigureit will be noted that the lower end of'each bar is rounded, as at 15, so as to ride upon and to.

be formed at this point.

1 1 for each set of aligned rods, 2 and 6. All of the bars 14 are freely slidable inthe rocker arm B and when a rocking movement 1s imparted thereto, as by means of a lever extension such as shown at 17, the circuit closing bars will swing from the incline :or

off position shown in Fig. 2 to the vertical or on position shown in Fig. 3. In other words, an oscillating or rocking movement and a reciprocating movement is imparted to the circuit closing bars 14 in unison when the circuits are to be closed. This is important, as a -movement of th-ischaracter first of all produces a wiping action with relation to the rods 2 and 6, thereby maintaining them clean and polished for proper contact, Secondly, the amount of friction imposed is comparatively small and as this is the case the rocker arm B may be swung about its pivotal support with a minimum of effort and power, while closing a number of individual circuits. Comparatively little pressure is exerted by the spring contacts or wire rods 6 and danger of warping or misalignment is avoided. The entire structure is exceedingly simple, rigid and compact,

and the terminal ends indicated at 4 and 8' are so arranged and exposed that thecircuit wires indicated at 18 and 19 may be readily 'connec'ted'or applied.

It is customary, especially in stop action] of organs, to use the same stop at differentpitches requiring five or more multiple switch bars to accomplish this.

It should be understood from the fore-' going that one set of wires may be used to carry the current to the magnets of a certain stop with one cable therefrom, then by usingfive sets of multiple switches, such as here illustrated, five cables are required to fur nish the currentfrom the key or relay con tact to the switch but only one cable will 1 be required to carry the current to the pipe magnets. v

While the switch has been particularly described in connection with organ construc tion, it is obvious that itmay be employed in a great number of instances, for instance,

in telephone switch work, signaling devices, etc.

I also wish it understood that while :cer tain features have been more or less speci'fic'ally described and illustrated, various changes may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims; similarly, that the materials and finish of the several parts em "ployed-may be such as-the manufacturer'may dictate or'varying conditions or uses may demand.' I What Iclaim and desire to'secureby Letters Patent is: 1

1'. In a switch of the character described a base plate, a plurality of interspaced Ilgld contact members supported thereby; a plu- There is one bar rality of flexible contacts, one for each rigid contact; a rocker member disposed between the contacts anda plurality of circuit closing bars reciprocally mounted in the rocker member'and guided thereby, said circuit closing bars being in constant contact with the rigid contact bars and movable to and away from the flexible contacts during oscillating movement of 'the rocker member.v

2; Ina switch of-the character described a base 1plate,-:a plurality of interspaced rigid contact members supported-thereby; a plurality of: flexible contacts, one for each rigid:

contact; a rocker member disposed between the contacts; a plurality of circuit closing barstreciprocally mounted in the rocker.

member and guided thereby, said circuit closing bars being :in constant. contact with "the rigidlcontact bars and movable to and away from the flexible contacts during 0swcillating movement of the rocker member,

and means whereby an oscillating movement is transmitted to the rocker member.

"3. In aswitch-oi the character described a base :plate, a plurality of'interspaced rods extending cross-wise of :the base :plate; means whereby opposite ends of the rods are secured; a secondary base platedisposed above-the first named base plate; a plurality of interspaced flexible: wire s-rods supported by said secondary base plate, said flexible wire rodssbeingplaced in alignment with the first named rods; gmeans securing one end of theuflex ible "wire rods with relation to -the secondary base; means whereby the opposite ends-of the'flexiblewire rods are guided; a rocker arm pivotallymountedbetween the first and =last named wire rods aI1d'eXt8I1d-' ing -'substantially from end to end of the base .plate; means for imparting pivotal extending cross-wise of the base plate; means whereby oppositeends of the rods are secured; a secondary base plate disposed above the first named base plate; a plurality of interspaced flexible wire rods supported by saidsecondary baseplate, said flexible wire 'rods being placed in alignment with the :first :named rods; means securing one end of the-flexible wi-re rodswith relation to the secondary base; means whereby the opposit-e ends of the flexible wire rods are guided; a rocker arm pivotally mounted between the first and last named Wire rodsand extending substantially from end to end of the base plate; means for imparting pivotal movement to said rocker arm said rocker arm having a plurality of slots formed therein, one slot for each pair of aligned Wire rods; a circuit closing bar reciprocally mounted 111 each slot and ulded thereby, said clrcult closlngbars bemg 1n constant rocker member; said circuit closing bars be-V ing rounded at their opposite ends so as to be guided With relation to the first and second named Wire rods.

WILLIAM D. WOOD. 

